News

Green Bay Back Houston Fund raises $600,000 for hurricane relief

The Green Bay Backs Houston Fund, created by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, has reached $600,000 to directly support the relief efforts in Houston, TX.

The Green Bay Backs Houston Fund, created by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, has reached $600,000 to directly support the relief efforts in Houston, TX. This fund was created to provide the Green Bay community a safe and reliable way to support the residents of Houston. Every dollar donated to the Green Bay Backs Houston Fund will be passed on to the Greater Houston Community Foundation to support and rebuild their community after Hurricane Harvey.

The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation collected dollars from the concerned citizens of northeastern Wisconsin and assumed all associated costs to ensure 100% of the dollars would be received by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. “We live in an incredible community where people sought a path to assure support reached those most affected by this tragedy and their kindness has not gone unnoticed.” said Dennis Buehler, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. “Leaders within the Greater Houston Community Foundation were both amazed and deeply touched by the generosity displayed from our community.”

The Houston foundation will allocate these funds toward relief efforts aiding the victims of the flooding and other weather related problems caused by Hurricane Harvey, including shelter and temporary housing needs, food and supplies, health care, transportation, child care, social service agencies, and other needs that fill the gaps not met by local and federal efforts. The Greater Houston Community Foundation is also assuming all costs of administering their fund to assure that 100% of the funds are used to aid victims.

While nonprofit organizations work diligently to serve their community’s needs, Community Foundations collect donations and allocate them back to the agencies who are solving issues on the front line. “We are proud, on behalf of our community, to present this $600,000 gift to the Greater Houston Community Foundation.” Said Buehler. “Donors can be confident 100% of their money is going to directly impact the most pressing needs of the Houston community.”

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Beginning at noon on February 27, 2018, the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation will host the first community-wide, 24-hour giving day in Brown County: Give BIG Green Bay. This event will highlight and support local nonprofits working to strengthen our community. A $250,000 grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation will launch this program and create a matching pool of funds to incentivize donors and maximize investment.

Give BIG Green Bay is an online giving event designed to transform the way local residents think about and contribute to Brown County charities. The simplified online giving platform, www.giveBIGgreenbay.org, provides a way for everyone to learn more about the work of selected nonprofits and donate, at any level, to the causes they champion.

“We’re excited to partner with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation to host a community-wide giving day. This one-day event in February is a great opportunity to get the whole community to focus on giving.” said Mark Murphy, President of the Green Bay Packers. “The grant from our Foundation will create matching funds to make donations go further. We’re excited to see what this community can do!”

Up to 30 organizations representing a cross-section of community agencies will be selected to participate and benefit from this inaugural crowdfunding event. Eligibility information is available online at www.giveBIGgreenbay.org. The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation will accept applications from nonprofits beginning September 1, 2017, and the last day to apply will be October 1, 2017. Selected nonprofits will be announced in January 2018.

The Community Foundation will collaborate with selected nonprofits using social, print and broadcast media to spread awareness and build excitement about the event as it approaches. The matching funds from the Green Bay Packers Foundation serve as an added incentive for the community to donate during the 24-hour event.

“Philanthropy is an important piece of creating and maintaining a vibrant community,” said Dennis Buehler, President & CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. “We see Give BIG Green Bay as a way to engage the broader community and give everyone the opportunity to learn more about and support the important work of nonprofits in Brown County.”

Give BIG Green Bay is Back: 40 nonprofits will benefit from the online giving day on February 20 & 21, 2019

January 16, 2019 – After a successful launch in 2018, Give BIG Green Bay is back! The Green Bay Packers Foundation and the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation are excited to host the second community-wide giving day from noon February 20 until noon February 21, 2019. Give BIG Green Bay will highlight the work of 40 local nonprofit organizations working to change lives in our community. Thanks to the generosity of the Green Bay Packers Foundation and other donors, this year’s event will offer $312,500 in matching funds and incentives.

Last February, the Green Bay Packers Foundation and Greater Green Bay Community Foundation launched our community’s first online giving day: Give BIG Green Bay. In response, our community stepped up in a BIG way. Through the generosity of 1,718 donors, $805,610 was raised in 24 hours to support 31 nonprofits.

This year people everywhere can donate to support the work of any of the 40 local organizations by visiting giveBIGgreenbay.org. This online giving platform makes it easy to contribute any amount to make a BIG difference in Brown County. The Give BIG Green Bay team will work closely with participating nonprofits using social, print, and broadcast media to create awareness about this exciting 24-hour event. Additionally, participating nonprofits will rally their supporters to amplify the impact.

Give BIG Green Bay 2019 will offer $312,500 in matching funds and incentives – a $97,500 increase over last year. The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation will underwrite all program expenses allowing the full $250,000 Green Bay Packers Foundation commitment to be allocated as matching funds and encourage our community to give BIG. Additional matching funds and incentives are available this year, due to the generosity of Janet and Charlie Lieb, the J. J. Keller Foundation and Bellin Health. Thanks to these funding partners, every dollar donated through this exciting program will go even further to support important work happening in our community.

“We’re fortunate to live in a community with impactful nonprofit agencies and leaders who are dedicated to serving the residents of Brown County,” said Mark Murphy, Green Bay Packers President/CEO. “We are also pleased to work with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation to encourage everyone to learn more about the important work of local nonprofits and to donate, at any level.”

A diverse cross-section of organizations serving Brown County were selected, and all funds will be distributed directly to the agencies, allowing them to focus on what they do best. More than 60% of the participating nonprofits in Give BIG Green Bay 2019 are first-time participants. The combination of experienced and new nonprofits is sure to bring a powerful energy to this giving day.

“Give BIG Green Bay is a shining example of how we are rethinking ways to create a stronger community and connect people directly with the organizations who are on the front lines addressing some of our most pressing needs,” said Dennis Buehler, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. “Please join us in celebrating and supporting their important work.”

Congratulations to the 2019 Give BIG Green Bay Nonprofit Partners! They are listed below by cause:

Youth Development
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay
Hands On Deck
The Children’s Museum of Green Bay

For more information, please visit www.givebiggreenbay.org.

Funds for Greater Green Bay awards $155,000 in grants

May 1, 2018 – The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation has awarded more than $155,000 to 19 Green Bay area nonprofit organizations through the Funds for Greater Green Bay grant program.

The Funds for Greater Green Bay are a collection of funds at the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. The corresponding grant program funds measurable strategies to make a positive impact on the quality of life and create a better future for residents of our community.

In addition to the Funds for Greater Green Bay endowed funds, other donors are invited to co-invest in vetted programs. In this cycle, donors contributed more than $60,000 toward programs creating even greater impact.

Grants are awarded based on a competitive application process which includes review by a grants team of community volunteers. Two grant cycles are offered annually for the Funds for Greater Green Bay. The next deadline for applications will be July 1, 2018.

The Winter 2018 grants were awarded to the following organizations and programs:

Baird Creek Preservation Foundation, Education in Nature
To continue to provide free science-based education to about 1,000 people per year the program needs to align with school curriculum and become sustainable. This grant supports a 3-year plan to fully develop a year-round, sustainable program for students and the public.

Bellin Health Foundation, Brown County Population Health CollaborativeThe collaborative is composed of local organizations that serve people with disabilities who are enrolled in Wisconsin’s Medicaid long-term care programs. Funding would support rollout of a community care pilot program to all members in Brown County. The rollout will include establishing use of electronic sharing of information, developing and using training videos for community care teams, identifying clinical areas for community-wide focus and measuring community care team engagement and performance.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay, Youth Arts InitiativeLow-income youth have less access to high-quality arts education, while research shows those who participate are more likely to succeed in many development areas. Funding would support continuation of high-quality arts education programming for low-income children in greater Green Bay.

Bridge the Gap, Social Skills/Daily Living Skills Summer Camp
Bridge the Gap serves youth in rural settings with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Funding would allow youth from Brown or Oconto counties to attend Social Skills/Daily Living Skills Summer Camp to build skills of friendship, rule following, daily living and appropriate public behaviors.

Freedom House Ministries, Required Programming
Freedom House requires residents to participate in personal financial management and positive parenting programming. Funding would support an update, including designing an individualized financial plan for credit rehabilitation, adding consumer education and healthy relationship modules and transferring programming to an online format that can accommodate residents working second and third shifts.

Golden House, Domestic Violence Youth Program
Each year Golden House serves more than 250 youth who have been exposed to domestic violence. Funding will allow a dedicated Youth Advocate to provide safety planning, advocacy and support for ages 5-17 while their families are accessing shelter, intervention and advocacy services.

Goodwill Industries of North Central WI, Neighborhood PartnersFunding will support a community approach to building social connections and reducing the risk of isolation for older adults in the village of Denmark. Work will include asset inventory, engagement activities, incentives and connections.

Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity, Home Repair Program-Training and Development
Through the new Home Repair Program, Habitat assists low- to moderate-income homeowners with basic repairs. Funds will provide staff training in lead paint removal and market the program to homeowners.

Hands On Deck, Cut and Run Boat Building and Rowing Program
At-risk youth ages 10 to 14 will participate in a wooden boat building project and community rowing experience one on one with trained and matched mentors. Funds will support construction of two boats with equipment, training and consultation.

House of Hope, Ending Child Homelessness
With additional shelter and programming available to address pregnant and parenting homeless women ages 18-24 on a waiting list, a grant will allow House of Hope to add case managers and program supplies.

Howe Community Resource Center, Family Engagement/Advocacy
A Support Advocate Program assists parents and families with communication, understanding information and community resource connections. Funding will be used to hire, train and retain staff, purchase program supplies, support construction and provide continued advocacy training.

Junior Achievement of WI - Brown County, Building Financial Literacy in Today's Youth
Funding will provide financial literacy, work-readiness and entrepreneurship programs to the elementary, middle and high school students of Brown and Oconto counties. The grade-level appropriate, research-based K-12 curriculum is provided at no cost to schools or students.

Kewaunee Health and Fitness, Aging Mastery ProgramThe program aims to help baby boomers and older adults improve their well-being, add stability to their lives and strengthen ties to the community. The 10-week program developed by the National Council on Aging addresses physical, financial and emotional wellness to impact changes to behavior.

Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, Head Start Vision Health Program
In partnership with Green Bay Area Public Schools, the program ensures low-income children enrolled in Head Start receive a vision screening and referral. Access is improved through vision education, resources, and follow-up support. Head Start promotes school readiness in birth to 5 from low-income families.
Service League of Green Bay, Service League
The Back-to-School Store is a one-day event that provides all the supplies needed to start a child's new school year to low-income children and families in Brown County. Funding will provide supplies for the Store.

Suring Lions Foundation, Home Care Equipment Expansion

The Suring Lions offer a home medical equipment loan project, currently using donated equipment. To better meet the needs of residents, the club will acquire high-demand equipment and obtain storage space for the project.

UW-Extension Brown County, Family Living Program
A new poverty simulation kit is needed to meet increased demand. Simulations give human service professionals, teachers and college students a better understanding of the challenges faced by those living in a typical low-income household and work more effectively with these residents.

WI Waterfowl Association, Abrams Long Term Project
Funding will complete the installation of two disabled-accessible hunting blinds and their entry ramps, giving those with disabilities the opportunity to experience the outdoors. Work would include removing invasive fish species to improve the forage base for migratory birds and preparing for a controlled burn.

Give BIG Green Bay crowdfunding event announces nonprofit partners

Thirty-one local nonprofit organizations were selected to participate in our community’s first online crowdfunding event: Give BIG Green Bay. Hosted by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Green Bay Packers Foundation, this community-wide, 24-hour on-line giving day will shine a spotlight on the impactful work of these nonprofits and encourage everyone to donate, at any level. The Green Bay Packers Foundation provided a $250,000 grant to launch this program and create a matching pool of funds to encourage our community to give BIG.

Starting at noon on February 27 and continuing until noon on February 28, 2018, people across the community can donate to support the work of any of the 31 organizations by visiting givebiggreenbay.org. The online giving website makes it easy to contribute any amount to make a BIG difference in Brown County. The Green Bay Packers Foundation will match donations during this 24-hour giving day.

“It’s humbling to see the caring and compassionate work our local nonprofit agencies do for the residents of Brown County,” said Mark Murphy, Green Bay Packers President/CEO. “We are proud to partner with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation to encourage everyone in our community to learn more about the work of local nonprofits and to donate, at any level.”

A diverse cross-section of organizations serving Brown County were selected, and funds will be distributed directly to the agencies, allowing them to focus on what they do best.

“We are fortunate to live in a community with such impactful nonprofit agencies and leaders dedicated to serving our unique needs.” said Dennis Buehler, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. “Every day we see the incredible ways their work transforms lives of our friends and neighbors. Give BIG Green Bay is an opportunity for every citizen to get involved and celebrate their commitment to community.”

The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, has awarded eight grants, totaling more than $45,000 to local non-profit programs.

The Women’s Fund endowment provides grants to local nonprofit organizations that offer programs and services supporting leadership and self-esteem initiatives for women and girls. Since 1998, the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay has granted almost $650,000 to more than 80 initiatives and programs in our community. Grants from this Fund make an impact every day by supporting thousands of women and girls in our community!

Grants are awarded based on a competitive application process including review by a grants team of community volunteers. The most recent grants awarded from the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay are:

Franklin Middle School, SAS (Serious About Science) Girls
This grant will establish a science club for female students at Franklin Middle School consisting of activities outside of school hours.

Brown County Human Services, Pals Program
The funds will support the Pals Program offering opportunities for girls to attend a variety of camps based on their interests and abilities.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Educational Foundation, Childcare Support
Funds will provide day care and financial assistance to female single-parent students with young children to help promote retention.

Exceptional Equestrians, Girls Rule!
The equine-assisted program empowers girls to lead their lives with success. Funds will support outreach and need-based scholarships.

YWCA of Green Bay-De Pere, TechGYRLS: Empowering girls to run on STEAM
The TechGYRLS program, 12-week learning sessions in cooperation with the Green Bay Area Public School District, plans to expand the focus to include grades 3 and 4 with this grant.

Junior Achievement of WI, Inc. Brown County, Entrepreneur/Career Exploration Camp
This grant supports a week-long camp for girls which provides opportunities for them to try different career roles and realize the options available: college, technical/trade school, military, or entrepreneurship, with hands-on exploration in STEM career fields.

Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes, Reaching Out Girls to Camp
Funds will allow girls from the local Reaching Out programs to attend summer camp, where they will meet new people, learn new skills, be challenged, and have fun.

Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, Creative Crew
This grant will fund a small-group video making program that gives girls real-life, hands-on experiences using film as creative outlet for self-expression. The program will also teach them about film opportunities, from the business side of being a creative entrepreneur to the social side of giving back to the community as film activists.

About the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay
The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, supports programs in the local community that meet its mission of empowering women and inspiring girls while promoting leadership and building self-esteem. For more information, visit www.womensfundgb.org.

Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay awards nine grants to local nonprofits working to empower women and inspire girls

April 2, 2019 - The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, has awarded nine grants totaling $57,000 to local nonprofit programs.

The Women’s Fund endowment provides grants to local nonprofit organizations that offer programs and services supporting leadership and self-esteem initiatives for women and girls. Since 1998, the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay has granted more than $980,000 to more than 100 initiatives in our community. Grants from this fund make an impact every day by supporting thousands of women and girls in our community!

Grants are awarded based on a competitive application process including review by a team of community volunteers. The following grants were awarded in the winter cycle and distributed in March.

The next deadline for Women’s Fund grants applications is July 11, 2019. The Women's Fund recently expanded the grant policy to consider programs for boys and men that relate to healthy relationships and support women and girls. Online applications may be accessed at www.womensfundgb.org.

Franklin Middle School, Lady Bobcat Yoginis

This new program will offer female students and athletes the opportunity to participate in yoga after school, as well as provide teachers with instruction. The funds will allow a partnership with a local yoga instructor, recently trained in YogaEd, to teach yoga to the girls and teachers, who, in turn, would be able to teach yoga.

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Troop Starter Pilot Program
The program creates sustainable troops at Green Bay area schools that are economically disadvantaged or have high proportions of English Language Learners. It reaches the schools that have high interest but have struggled with starting and maintaining troops.

Girls on the Run Northeast Wisconsin, Program Expansion in Brown County
An expansion will provide the opportunity for girls in Brown County to participate in Girls on the Run, a physical activity-based positive youth development program designed to enhance girls' social, psychological and physical skills to navigate life experiences.

Green Bay Sail & Paddle, Scholarship Fund
With an expanded reach, Green Bay Sail & Paddle aims to inspire more girls and women to develop life skills through sailing. Cost can be a barrier to participating, so funds will provide scholarships and encourage more women and girls to try sailing for the first time.

Hands On Deck, Woman Woodwright's Mentoring
Hands on Deck will recruit and train female builders and makers to mentor young women on the waiting list of a mentoring program for youth referred by Child Protective Services. Their relationships will be fostered in a warm and empowering atmosphere at Hands on Deck’s new boat shop.

House of Hope Green Bay, Intensive Case Management
The structured case management services provided to homeless young mothers and their children help to build self-esteem and identify individual needs and goals related to parenting, formal education, stable housing, and employment.

Medical College of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Girls in Science
The Girls in Science Club is designed to provide long-term mentoring to middle school girls by introducing female STEM heroines and exploring the scientific process, anatomy, microscopic worlds, and technology. Medical students lead activities to bring hands-on lectures into schools, engage girls in science labs and build lasting mentorship for young female scientists in Green Bay.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Educational Foundation, Childcare Support - Overcoming Barriers to Education
Funds provide low-income students with childcare support, allowing them to focus on school and work toward new career opportunities.

St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter, Wellspring
Wellspring is a daytime resource center for women. Funding will increase programming and upgrade facilities to help women impacted by trauma transition to self-sufficiency. It will also help provide workshops and drug/alcohol supportive services and case management.